Multi-purpose suction cleaner nozzle



Aug. 14, 1962 R. DESCARRIES 3,048,877

MULTI-PURPOSE SUCTION CLEANER NOZZLE Filed Oct. 16, 1959 5 SheeS-Sheet 1 NVENTOR.

Aug. 14, 1962 R. DESCARRIES MULTI-PURPOSE sUcTIoN CLEANER NozzLE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed OCT.. 16, 1959 INVENTOR.

6 s 'a/vfy Aug. 14, 1962 R. DESCARRIES 3,048,877

MULTI-PURPOSE SUCTION CLEANER NOZZLE Filed Oct. 16, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. y/k//u/ lw BY MKM United States Patent O 3 048 877 MULTI-PUnPcsn sUcnbN CLEANER Nozzrn Raymond Descarries, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, assignor to Aktiebolaget Electrolux, Stockholm, Sweden, a

corporation of Sweden Filed Get. 16, 1959, Ser. No. 846,912 13 Claims. (Cl. 15-417) This invention relates to suction cleaner nozzles and particularly to multi-purpose nozzles suitable for cleaning surfaces of dilerent characters.

Devices of this general type comprise a nozzle body having at least two working portions or faces, one of which may, for example, be provided with a brush `for engagement with iloor or like surfaces, and the other with smooth portions for engagement With rugs or the like, each Working portion being associated with its own air inlet Via which air can ow into the nozzle and thence to the fan chamber of the cleaner. In such devices, the nozzle is ordinarily attached to one end of a rigid tube or wand, the other end of which is connected to a length of flexible hose leading to the fan chamber, the rigid tube forming means by which the nozzle `can be manu-ally manipulated. Since the arrangement of the nozzle must be such that either of the working faces can be brought into position for engagement with a surface to be cleaned, the nozzle is mounted on the rigid tube or wand in adjustable fashion. To provide maximum cleaning action at the working Aface `being used, it is desirable that all of the air flowing to the cleaner fan pass via that Working face and such nozzles are accordingly provided with some form of adjustable valve means for selectively placing the working faces in `communication wi-th the fan chamber.

A general object of the present invention is to provide a suction cleaner nozzle lof the type referred to so constructed that all of the required adjustments of the nozzle and its valve means can be accomplished in a very simple manner by manipulation of the tube or wand to which the nozzle is attached.

Another object is to devise a multi-purpose suction cleaner nozzle adapted to be rotatably attached to one end of a manipulating tube or wand and embodying rotary valve means easily operated by manipulation of the tube or wand to place the latter in communication with the selected working face of the nozzle.

A further object is to provide, in such a suction cleaner nozzle, rotary valve means equipped with a positively fac-ting actuator brought into play by manual manipulation of the tube or wand Yet another object is to provide an improved, simpliiied, positively acting valve arrangement for multi-purpose suction cleaner nozzles.

In order that the manner in which these and other objects are attained in accordance With the invention can be understood in detail, reference is had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a ltop plan view of a combined rug and floor nozzle constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, with the brush face of the nozzle directed upwardly;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the nozzle of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3-5 are vertical sectional views, taken on line 3 3, FIG. 1, with the parts of the nozzles is different positions;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional View taken on line 6 6, FIG. 3;

iFIG. 7 is a vertical sectional View taken on line 7 7, FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 8 8, FIG.

3,048,877 Patented Aug. 14, 1962 ICC FIGS. 9 and 10 are vertical sectional views taken on line 9 9, FIG. 6, and

FIG. ll is an exploded perspective View of certain parts of the `device of FIG. 1.

Iurning now to the drawings in detail, and iirst to FIGS. 1, 6 and lil thereof, it will be noted that the embodiment of the invention illustrated comprises an elongated body structure 1, a rotary valve member 2, Aa resilient actuator 3, and an air outlet member 4.

Body structure `1 has -a long dimension extending transversely of the direction of travel of the nozzle in normal use, and the body structure can thus be said to have opposed long faces 5 and 6, at which the Work-engaging elements are located, and `front and back faces 7 and 8, respectively. At face 5, the body structure carries -a brush 9, for engagement With a floor F or other smooth surface to be cleaned, the brush extending in a closed rectangular path and surrounding an air inlet channel 10, each half of the bottom Wall 11 of which slants toward the center of the body structure. At face 6, there is provided a rectangularly extending smooth work-engaging portion 12 for engagement with a rug R or the like to be cleaned, a comb element 13 also -being provided as shown. Workengaging portion 12 surrounds an air inlet channel 14, each half of the bottom Wall 15 of which slants toward the center of the body structure.

At its center, body structure 1 is provided With a cylindrical cavity, the longitudinal axis of which extends in the direction of travel of the nozzle in normal use, `that is, at right angles to front and back faces 7 and 8. Because of the presence of air inlet channels 10 and 14, `such cavity is defined by surfaces 16 and 17, FIG. 3, a cylindrical bore 18 opening to the back surface of the body structure, and a yforwardly disposed recess 19, as seen in FIG. 6.

The hollow rotary valve memlber 2 is disposed in the cavity just described and comprises a plain cylindrical body portion 20 the open end 21 of which is slidably embraced by the cylindrical Wall of bore l18. Closed by an end wall 22, the opposite end of valve member 2 is loosely seated in recess 19. Valve member 2 is provided with a laterally opening air inlet port 23v which extends for slightly less than in the cylindrical wall of body portion 20 and is approximately as long, axially of the valve member, as the air inlet channels 10 and k'14 are wide. Thus, valve member 2 can occupy a first rotational position, seen in FIG. 3, in which port 23 is in rcommunication only with air inlet channel '14, and a second rotational position, seen in FIG. 5, in which port 23 is in communication only with air inlet channel 10, the angular difference between such positions being 180.

Fixed Ato the outer or forwardly directed face of end wall 212 of the valve member is a iiat cam lug 24, lug 24 being centered on the axis of rotation of the valve member and disposed in a plane extending along a diameter of the Icircular rtransverse cross-section of the valve member. Cam lug 24 projects forwardly from end Wall 22 and is provided with a cylindrical pin 25, FIGS. 6-8, seated in a socket 26 in the front wall of body structure 1.

Immediately adjacent to end wall 22, the body structu-re of the nozzle is provided with an elongated cham nel 27 having a Iback wall 28 to which lare secured, as by screws, a pair of blocks 29. The iblocks 28 are spaced away from valve member 2 by equal distances and are each provided with a pair ,of small generally parallel bores 30, FIGS. 9 and l0, bores 30' being so located that one bore of each block is aligned with and opens toward a bore of the other block. A pair of relatively stiff spring metal wires 31 each have their ends slidably engaged in aligned pairs of the bores 30, the Wires 31 being normally parallel, as seen in FIG. 9, and extending each on a different side of the cam lug 24. Thus, when the flat cam lug 24 is disposed parallel to faces 5 and 6, spring wires 31 are parallel, relaxed and in engagement with the cam lug.`

As will now be described, ycam lug 24 and spring wires A31, with their mounting means, combine to form the rotary resilient actuator 3, the functions of which are to resiliently bias valve member 2' against rotation when the valve member is in either of the rotational positions mentioned above and seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, and to actuate the valve member to one of such positions when the valve member has been rotated through a predetermined angle yaway from the other such position.

Having in mind the relationship of the parts as seen in FIG. l1, and comparing FIGS. 9 fand l0, it will be understood that, whenever valve member 2 is in a position such that port 23 communicates with either air inlet ychannel or l14, yany rotation of member 2 will be resilienltly opposed by both spring wires 31. This is because such rotation causes the flat cam lug 24 to become progressively divergent to the normal positions of spring wires 31, so that the wires are bent progressively. Thus, with the parts in the relative positions seen in FIGS. 9 and ll, if valve member 2 is turned through an angle less than 90 in either direction and then released, the resilient effect of wires 31 on cam lug 214 will return the valve member to its initial position. However, if such rotation of valve member 2 be through an angle to more than 90 from the position of FIGS. 9 and ll, for example, the resilient effect of wires -31 on cam lug 24 will then further rotate Ithe valve member until the long dimension of lug 24 again extends parallel to the normal or relaxed positions of wires 31. Thus, if the valve member is rotated through an angle slightly more than 90 from Athe position seen in FIGS. 9 and ll and then released, the combination of spring wires 311 and cam lug 24 will actuate the valve member .through an additional angle of rotation suicient to complete 180 of rotation.

Referring to FIGS. 6-8 and 11, it will be seen that the air outlet member 4 is in the form of a tubular elbow having `an end portion 32 which can be iitted over the end of the usual rigid manipulating tube or wand to attach the nozzle thereto. The other end 33 of member 4 is cylindrical and is disposed within the open end of valve member 2. Secured to end 33 of member 4 is asleeve 34 having a transverse annular outwardly d- -rected ilange 3S lying immediately iadjacent to back face 8 or body structure 1, sleeve 34 being xed to member 4. 'Ihe combination of end 33 and sleeve 34 fits slidably Vwithin the cylindrical body 20 of valve member 2, so that the air outlet member 4 is thus yarranged for rotation, relative to body structure 1 and valve member 2, about the axis of rotation of the valve member. The air outlet member 4 is retained in place by a retainer ring 36 secured to body structure 1 and having a ange extending inwardly beside ilange 34.

In order that relative rotation between air outlet member 4 and the body structure can be imparted to valve member 2 lfor a selected range of movement only, a lost motion connection is provided between cylindrical front end 33 of the air outlet member and the open end 21 of the valve member. Thus, a portion of the end i33 of member 4 is cut away 'for a circumferential distance of slightly less than 180, providing a pair of yangularly spaced abutments 37. Valve member 2 is provided with an inwardly projecting lug 38 disposed 'to lie in the path of travel of abutments 37 upon occurrence of relative rotation between member 4 and the valve member.

Assuming that the nozzle is disposed with rug cleaning surfaces 12 downward, that port 23 of the valve member is in communication with air inlet channel V14, and that end 32 of outlet member 4 is connected to a manipulating tube (not shown), FIG. 3 shows that, if the manipulating tube be disposed in a vertical plane, the two abutments 37 provided at the front end 33 of member 4 will be equally spaced `from lug 38 by an angular distance somewhat less than Hence, member 4 is -free to rotate through almost 90 in either direction without affecting the position of valve member 2, such rotation allowing freedom of movement of the manipulating tube during use of the nozzle in the usual manner.

However, relative rotation between air outlet member 4 and body structure l, and thus `between the air outlet member and valve member 2, of approximately 90, starting from the relative positions `seen in FIGS. 5, 6 and 8, will bring one or the other of abut-ments 37 into contact with lug 38, the particular abutment brought into play depending upon the direction of such relative rotation. Further relative rotation inthe same direction will now cause valve member 2 to rotate, due to the contact between one of the abutments 37 and lug 38, such rotation of the valve member being against the resilient biasing `action of actuator 3, as hereinbeore described. Additional relative rotation between the air outlet member and the body structure to an `extent equal to slightly more than 90 will bring cam lug 24 beyond the position seen in FIG. l0, so that the resilient eiect of spring wires 31 is now -applied to the valve member 2 in a direction `aiding the rotation thereof, rather than in opposition. At this point, and comparing FIGS. 4 and 7, it will be understood that one of the abutments 37 has been engaged behind lug 38 while the other abutment 37 is spaced ahead of lug 38 by almost 180. Hence, as cam lug 24 passes beyond the crossover point seen in FIG. 10, valve member 2 is free to rotate ahead of outlet member 4, the rotational force applied to the valve member by resilient actuator 3 being not applied to outlet member 4 because of the lost motion character of the connection aorded by abutments 37 and lug 38. Hence, resilient actuator 3 is effective to complete the rotation of valve member 2 to bring port 23 thereover into communication with air inlet channel y10. As will be clear from FIG. 7, rotational unbalauce of body structure 1, with respect to the axis of rotation of valve member 2., is afforded by providing a weight 39 in one end of the body structure. Thus, assuming that the nozzle and the outlet member 4 are in the position seen in FIG. 3 and that the nozzle is picked up by a manipulating wand connected to member 4, the body structure will gravitate through almost 90, because of the rotational nnbalance just mentioned, and will assume the position seen in FIG. 4, such action requiring no attention by the operator. To complete the cycle of movement, the operator need only again lower the manipulating tube until the end of body structure 1 containing weight 39 engages the surface to be cleaned, and then move the manipulating tube laterally while applying slight downward pressure to accomplish sucient rotation of member 4 and Valve member 2, relative to body structure 1, to allow resilient actuator 3 to come into free play and complete the rotation of the valve member.

What is claimed is:

l. A multi-purpose suction cleaner tool comprising a hollow body having rst and second nozzles in back-toback relation, the hollow body having first and second lip structures at rst and second opposing faces thereof, respectively, which respectively define first and second suction openings of the rst :and second nozzles, the body having an opening serving as an outlet for each nozzle, valve means, means for mounting the valve means in the body for movement between rst and second positions, the valve means in the -iirst position only providing a path of flow for air between the rst suction opening and the outlet and in the second position only providing a path of ilow `for air between the second suction opening and the outlet, -a suction conduit elbow, means for connecting the elbow to the body at the outlet, the connecting means providing a rotatable connection whereby the body is rotatable on the elbow about a horizontal axis, the elbow having a branch extending at an acute angle to the axis in a generally upward direction, each ot the suction openings being movable to a downwardly facing position responsive to rotation of the body about the axis through an angle of 180 from the downwardly facing position of the other of the suction openings, mechanism carried by the body for moving the valve means from its second position to its first position when the body is rotated 180 about the axis to bring the iirst suction opening to its downwardly facing position and Ifor moving the valve means from its rst position to its second position when the body is rotated 180 about the axis to bring the second suction opening to its downwardly facing position, the mechanism including a lost motion connection between the Valve and the elbow for rotating the body on the elbow about the horizontal axis through a range of about 90 in each direction from the upwardly extending branch without disturbing the position of the valve means when the valve means is in one of its lirst or second positions, and for imparting movement to the valve means responsive to rotation ofthe body on the elbow about the horizontal axis through an arc outside said range of 90 in each direction from the upwardly extending branch, and the mechanism yfurther including means which is fixed to the body and coacts with the valve means for imparting rotating movement to the valve means after the body has been moved through the arc to move the valve means to the other of its iirst or second positions while the branch extends in its generally upward direction.

2. In a multi-purpose suction cleaner nozzle of the type having a hollow nozzle body structure provided with two different work-engaging portions each associated with a dilierent air inlet, the combination of a rotary valve member of sleeve lfor-m journaled within said body structure and mounted for movement between two rotational positions in each of which said valve member communicates with a different one of said air inlets, lmanually operable means connected with `said rotary valve member and effective to rotate the same fwith respect to said body structure away from either of said positions, said manually operable means comprising an air outlet member rotatably mounted on said body structure and means providing a lost motion connection between said air outlet member and said valve member, and actuating means operable responsive to rotation of said rotary valve member for rotating said valve member to the other of said positions after said manually operable means has been initially operated to rotate said valve member away from one of said positions.

3. A nozzle as set forth in claim 1 in which the means which is fixed to said body and coacts with the valve means includes a resilient device for imparting rotating movement to the valve means after the body has been moved through the arc in either direction from the upwardly extending branch.

4. In a multi-purpose suction cleaner nozzle of the type having a nozzle body structure provided with two different `work-engaging portions each associated with a different `air inlet, the combination of a hollow valve member mounted on said body structure for rotation about an axis disposed between said work-engaging portions, said valve member being arranged for rotation between a lirst position in which said valve member communicates with one of said air inlets and a ysecond position in which said valve member communicates with the other of said air inlets; an lair outlet member operatively connected to receive air Efrom said valve member, said outlet member being journaled within said body structure; a llost motion connection between said outlet member and said valve member and operative to impart initial rotary movement to said valve member responsive to rotation of said outlet member, and resilient means operatively connected to said valve member and effective to actuate said valve member to one or the other of said rst and second positions responsive to movement of said valve member after initial rotary movement thereof.

5. A suction cleaner nozzle in accordance with claim 4 wherein said outlet member is `an elbow having one end `adapted tor connection to a manipulating tube and the other end arranged to rotate about said axis, and said lost motion connection comprises a projection on one of said outlet member and said valve member and a pair of angularly spaced abutments on the other of said members.

6. In a multi-purpose suction cleaner nozzle, the combination of yan elongated hollow body structure provided with two different work-engaging portions each associ- `ated with a diiierent air inlet, said portions extending along opposite long sides of said body structure; a hollow valve member disposed between said portions and journaled for rotation within said body structure about an axis located between said portions and extending in the direction of the short dimension of said elongated body structure, said valve member having an inlet port capable of being brought selectively into communication with either of said air inlets by rotation of said valve member about said axis; resilient actuating means operatively connected to said valve member and etieotive to bias said valve member against rotary movement when said port is in communication with either of said air inlets and operable rto store energy and actuate said valve member to bring said port into communication with one of said inlets responsive to rotation of said valve member suliicient to move said port a predetermined amount away .from the other of said inlets; `an air outlet member mounted on said body structure for rotation about said axis, said outlet member being adapted for connection .with an elongated manipulating tube to provide for manipulation of the nozzle, and a rotary lost motion connection between said outlet member and said valve member, whereby said valve member can be rotated against the biasing action of `said resilient actuating means by rotating said outlet member.

7. In a multi-purpose suction cleaner nozzle, the combination of an elongated hollow body structure having a short dimens-ion in the direction of travel of the nozzle in normal use and a long dimension transverse to said direction, said body structure being provided with two diierent work-engaging portions each associated with a different air inlet, said work-engaging portions extending along opposite long sides of said body structure; a hollow valve member disposed between said work-engaging portions and journaled for rotation within said body structure about an axis extending in the direction of said short dimension, said valve member having a lateral inlet port disposed to be brought selectively into communication with said air inlets by rotation of sa-id valve member about said axis, said valve member having an open cylindrical end portion concentric with said axis and via which air entering said valve member through said port can pass; `an air outlet member having a cylindrical portion disposed coaxially with respect to said cylindrical end portion of said valve member, said outlet member being mounted on said body structure for rotation about said axis; a rotary lost-motion connection between said cylindrical portion of said outlet member and said cylindrical end portion of said valve member whereby said valve member can be rotated by rotation of said outlet member, and resilient actuating means operatively connected to said valve member to bias the same against rotation when said valve member is disposed with its inlet port in communication with either of said air inlets and operable to store energy and actuate the same rotatably to bring said inlet port into communication with one of said air inlets responsive to rotation of said valve member by said air outlet member which is sufficient toy remove said inlet port lfrom communication with the other of said air inlets.

8. A suction cleaner nozzle comprising a hollow body having a pair of air admission openings at opposite sides thereof and an air outlet, a valve member rotatably mounted in said body whereby one of said openings and 7 i outlet may be placed in communication While the other of the openings is out of communication with the outlet, a tubular suction member, means for rotatably mounting said tubular member on said valve member in communication with the outlet, said last-mentioned mounting means including a lost motion connection between said tubular member and said valve member for rotating said tubular member on said valve member through a range of about 180 without disturbing the position of said valve member when said valve member is positioned to place one of sa-id openings in communication with the outlet, and for imparting rotating movement to said valve member responsive to movement of said tubular member through an arc outside said range of about 180, and means which is fixed to said body and coacts with said valve member for imparting rotating movement to said valve member while said tubular member is stationary to position the other of the openings in communication -with the outlet after said valve member has been moved through said arc, said lastmentioned Imeans including mechanism yfor storing energy when said valve member is being moved through said arc and operable to utilize said energy for imparting movement to said valve member after movement thereof through said arc.

9. A nozzle as set `forth in claim 8 in which said lost motion connection and said energy storing mechanism coact for said tubular member to impart rotating movement to said valve member through an arc of at least 90 outside said range of about 180.

10. A nozzle as set forth in claim 9 in which said energy storing mechanism comprises a pair of elongated flexible members.

1.1. A nozzle as set yforth in claim 10 in which said elongated flexible members are spread apart to store energy and impart movement to said valve member responsive to movement of said valve member through said arc.

12. A nozzle as set forth in claim 8 in which said means which is xed to said body coacts with said valve 8 member to hold said valve member in one of tWo positions to place one or the other opening in communication with the outlet when the valve member is moved to such position.

13. In a multi-purpose suction cleaner nozzle of the type having a nozzle body structure provided with two different Work-engaging portions each associated with a different air inlet, the combination of a hollow valve member mounted on said body structure for rotation about an axis disposed between said Work-engaging portions, said valve member being arranged for rotation between a first position in which said valve member communicates with one of said a-ir inlets and a second position in which said valve member communicates with the other of said air inlets; an air outlet member operatively connected to receive air from said valve member, said outlet member being rotatably mounted on said body structure; a lost motion connection between said outlet member and said valve member and operative to impart initial rotary movement to said Valve member when said outlet member is rotated, and resilient means operatively connected to said valve member and effective to actuate said Valve member to one or the other of said rst and second positions upon occurrence of such initial rotary movement, said resilient means comprising a cam .member secured to said valve member land having a long dimension extending laterally through said axis, and a pair of spring members extending laterally of said axis `and lying each on a different side of said cam member.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,849,515 Ell Mar. 15, 1932 2,142,978 Eriksson-Ions Jan. 3, 1939 2,432,670 Lampe Dec. 16, 1947 l 2,619,315 Ott Nov. 25, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 597,246 Germany May 19, 1934 

